Activity Guide Winter 2020 | Page 16

PLATFORM TENNIS Platform Tennis Platform tennis is the only racquet sport that players can enjoy outdoors in any climate. This fun and social game can be played day or night. You don’t need to have prior knowledge of the game as it’s easy to learn. The game is primarily played in the winter and is geared toward 4 players. LEARNING THE GAME The park district offers adult and junior lessons for beginning through advanced and travel players. Whether you’re looking to learn the game or enhance your skills, our Platform Tennis Professional can help with both. For more information regarding lessons and leagues, please visit our website at www.gepark.org/platform. THE COURTS The Glen Ellyn Platform Tennis Facility is a year-round public facility featuring: • Six courts with outside decking •  Paddle Hut warming facility for members who wish to socialize while waiting for their match or watching games. The courts are made of aluminum decking with added grit to assist with traction. An under-the-court heating system was installed to melt ice and water off the aggregate deck surface, allowing members to play outdoors in all weather conditions. The heaters are not meant for warming players and should never be used when the courts are dry. Each court is about one quarter of the size of a tennis court and is surrounded on all four sides by a 12’ high superstructure with taut, 16-gauge fencing which allows the players to play the ball off the screens. Court lighting allows play until 11pm. THE EQUIPMENT Platform Tennis is played with special paddles that differ in size and shape from tennis racquets. The paddles are made of a composite material with a specific number of aerodynamic holes drilled into the head and can be no more than 18 inches long. The paddle ball is made of a spongy rubber material and is 2.5 inches in diameter. A flocking material on the exterior keeps the ball from skidding. Our Platform Tennis Pro can assist you with all your equipment needs. Please contact Mark Cunnington at [email protected]. MEET OUR PLATFORM TENNIS PRO Mark Cunnington returns this year as the Platform Tennis Professional. Mark comes to the park district highly skilled in the sport of platform tennis as well as tennis. USPTA and PPTA certified, Mark has over 6 years' experience in coaching platform tennis and is currently ranked in the top 40 in the nation for platform tennis. Mark oversees the Platform Tennis program, which includes assisting with the Monday Night League, the Men’s and Women’s Travel Team program, and developing the juniors' program. Mark will instruct all clinics and drills and will be available for private and group lessons. Mark also serves as the Park District’s Head Tennis Professional, teaching hundreds of students the sport of tennis this past summer. Contact: [email protected] LOCATION 845 Pershing Avenue, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 Facility is located within Maryknoll Park 16